REU: Rare Earth Tracer Techniques for Larval Dispersal

一个主要的限制，我们的进展，在了解 在海洋系统中， 我们无法追踪幼虫的运动和命运， 海洋 莱文博士将研究 使用稀土元素标记无脊椎动物幼虫， 场中的无生命（被动）粒子。 稀土元素 它们是很好的示踪剂，因为它们在极低的温度下出现， 在自然界中的背景水平，并且在引入时是惰性的。 场，但成为高放射性，并可检测到在 在中子活化下的辐射强度可达毫微微微克级。 这种示踪剂的优点是时间短， 标签检测浮游生物所需的人力最少， 组织样本，以及高度的灵敏度和准确性 与中子活化分析相关。 这项研究将 发展双壳类、甲壳类和 多毛类幼虫，评估标签持久性和行为 效果，并将稀土元素纳入被动颗粒， 下降速度与感兴趣的幼虫相当。

A major limitation to our progress in understanding of larval dispersal and recruitment processes in marine systems is our inability to track the movements and fate of larvae in the ocean. Dr. Levin will investigate the development of techniques for use of rare earth elements to label invertebrate larvae and inanimate (passive) particles in the field. Rare earth elements make excellent tracers because they occur at extremely low background levels in nature and are inert when introduced into the field, but become highly radioactive and are detectable at nano-to picogram levels when subjected to neutron activation. Advantages of this tracer over others are the short time and minimal manpower required for label detection in plankton or tissue samples, and the high degree of sensitivity and accuracy associated with neutron activation analysis. The research will develop incorporation techniques for bivalve, crustacean and polychaete larvae, assess label persistence and behavioral effects, and incorporate rare earths into passive particles with fall velocities comparable to the larvae of interest.